After years of war and isolation, Southeast Asia’s most pristine environment, intact cultures and quite possibly the most chilled-out people on earth mean destination Laos is fast earning cult status among travellers. It is developing quickly but still has much of the tradition that has sadly disappeared elsewhere in the region. Village life is refreshingly simple and even in Vientiane it’s hard to believe this sort of languid riverfront life exists in a national capital. Then, of course, there is the historic royal city of Luang Prabang, where watching as hundreds of saffron-robed monks move silently among centuries-old monasteries is as romantic a scene as you’ll experience anywhere in Asia.

Away from the cities, there is so much more to see; the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang Province, the forested mountains of Northern Laos, the gothic limestone karsts around the backpacker-haven Vang Vieng and in the deep south, past the market town Pakse, is Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands), where the mighty Mekong spreads out and all the hammocks are taken.

Our top picks for Laos

1 Vieng Xai
Historic former Pathet Lao headquarters, housed in huge caverns in a hidden valley
2 Phu Khao Khuay Npa
Forested nature reserve with waterfalls and a herd of wild elephants
3 Phonsavan
Mysterious Plain of Jars & Indochina War relics
4 Luang Prabang
World Heritage–listed former royal capital with 32 temples
5 Nam Ha Npa
Nature reserve specialising in cultural and environmental tourism